Northern Ireland and the British dimension

Abstract

The suspension of the devolved institutions of government in Stormont and the introduction of direct rule from London in March 1972 transformed the context of the conflict. It became clear that the British government was moving closer to the Social Democratic and Labour Party position, implying acceptance not just of power sharing within Northern Ireland but also of involvement of the Republic in an institutionalised 'Irish dimension'. When partition was finally legislated for in 1920, then, the British could present it as a recognition of political realities. While the Good Friday Agreement marked a significant normalisation in the North–South and British–Irish relationships, its provisions for the domestic government of Northern Ireland continued to come under challenge. In the early years of the state, the British–Irish relationship was a major issue of political dispute, as Irish governments – especially after 1932 – sought to extend the state's independence.